Opponents of the White House-brokered renewal said there were options other than letting the provisions expire, such as passing a three-month extension to allow Congress to add civil liberties protections. In a letter to colleagues, this bipartisan group urged colleagues to block the compromise unless changes, such as higher thresholds for obtaining permission to wiretap, are included in the legislation.
The opponents in the Senate picked up support during the day, as Sens. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined their ranks.
But supporters were buoyed by the House vote, which showed Democrats deeply split over the matter. While 155 Democrats voted against the renewal, 44 Democrats joined 207 Republicans to help pass it. [Contact your Senators and tell them to oppose Patriot Act renewal today]